Bangkok - A new trend in fashion among Thai teens has health authorities gritting their teeth. Phony dental braces are all the rage in Thailand. The phony dental gear comes with a choice of colored rubber bands and teens rarely choose the clear ones.
Health official are concerned because the braces are self-applied, which is a health hazard as they can come loose and fall into the throat of the wearer. They are also glued onto the teeth and can cause gum sores. The braces reportedly contain lead.
The consumer protection board was to sign an order on Thursday providing harsh penalties for anyone caught producing, selling or importing the devices. Penalties include prison sentences and hefty fines for violators of the new law.
